The Big 4-0!

I am still very much in denial about how old we are now.  FORTY?!?!  REALLY?!?!  Nonetheless, here it is and I can't think of a better way I could have hit this milestone.  Shawn planned the absolute perfect celebration and such good memories were made.  I would have to say forty looks like it is going to be pretty amazing as I am blessed beyond measure.  I could not stop smiling all day watching the girls get to enjoy one of my absolute favorite things to do for the very first time.  Shawn rented a boat for us to spend the day on Lake Conroe.  Believe it or not, after not doing it for nearly 10 years, I was still able to slalom and the girls came very close to skiing for the first time.  I think they would have had it if the water had been a little smoother.  They both got up but didn't make it very far.  I was so glad Grandma, Papa, and Gransan were able to be there to celebrate with us.  Thank you Shawn for a perfect day!

We were prepared for all kinds of fun including fishing!

Let's get this party started!  She was so excited about her first day on the lake!

Em has only been on the lake once or twice before but was probably only 1 so this is really a first for her!

So blessed to have amazing in-laws!

Woohoo!!  I love this!!!

You can do it Em!

So blessed!

Most amazing husband ever!

Happy 65th to Gransan too!

Half the battle is actually getting on the tube!

Who is going to fall off first?  Em or Daddy?

Grandma and B were determined to catch something but no such luck!

Daddy and Em didn't have any luck either.

Swimming with Papa

It wouldn't be a birthday around here if there isn't cake in the face!

The perfect end to a perfect day-fajitas and cake!

Read for a Better Life

This year Conroe ISD kicked off Read for a Better Life with a free event at the Pavilion in The Woodlands.  We met the Collins there and had no idea how crazy crowded it would be.  Unfortunately, they were out of supplies for many of the activities by the time we could get around to them.  Oh well, we tried!  It is always one of my favorite days at Snyder every year when they have guest readers come in throughout the day to read to the classes.  This year was no exception and I had so much fun with Braelyn's class.  One of the books I read was the The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors and when I was done, Miss Arnold had the class do a Rock, Paper, Scissors battle-SO FUN!

I thought I was going to have to cancel on the Collins'...this is where I found B when I got off the phone with Angie figuring out what time we were meeting!

Decorating hats

Em and Sofia made hats that said "I'm her BFF" with arrows pointing to each other.

Braelyn won her first battle against Brooklyn

Another battle won!

Braelyn ended up being the last girl standing!

Unfortunately, in the end, the boys won!

Austin

I had to go to Austin to work a conference so we decided to take advantage of having the hotel room and Shawn and the girls came on Friday after work and school.  While I was finishing up with the conference on Saturday morning, they walked to see the Capitol building.  It was a crazy weekend to be in Austin because the UT/LSU game was there.  There were SO many people there!  We had fun though just hanging out though!  It is always fun to just get out of town sometimes.

Livin' On a Prayer

We might have the most well rounded kids ever when it comes to their love of so many different types of music!  We might have the only 8 and 10 year olds who, when asked who they most want to see in concert, would, without hesitation, say BON JOVI!!!  Daddy and I were in the dog house for going to the Bon Jovi concert without them so we were so excited when we saw a Bon Jovi coverband pop up on the Main Street Crossing lineup.  We had so much fun!  Since it was such a small venue, and there was only one other kid in the entire place, the girls got the royal treatment!  The lead singer and the guitar player came back to meet them during the break and then when they started the show again, all of a sudden we hear, "This one is for Emerson and Braelyn in the back corner!"  During that song, the other guitar player came back and actually played while sitting beside them.  They each got guitar pics too.  It was their first concert and they thought it was AWESOME!

Braelyn using the battery powered candle from the table like it was a lighter!